Port Hong Kong welcomes first ship carrying overseas passengers since the COVID shutdown in 2019

   January 23, 2023 ,   Cruise Industry

Port Hong Kong (China) welcomed its first ship carrying overseas passengers since the shutdown started in 2019.

The easing of COVID restrictions and the re-opening allowed for the restart.

The Silversea's ship Silver Spirit arrived in Tsim Sha Tsui (southern Kowloon, Hong Kong) on January 18th, following a 14-day roundtrip from Singapore.

Silver Spirit arrived just after sunrise on Wednesday, January 18th, for a 2-day port call during a voyage around Asia coinciding with the Lunar New Year celebrations. The 39,500 GT ship, which is operated by Silversea, part of RCG-Royal Caribbean Group, was repositioned by the cruise line to operate from Asia as part of the cruise industry’s return to the market.

Silver Spirit will remain in the region until March when she begins repositioning to Europe for the summer.

Adam Radwanski, Silversea’s managing director, called Hong Kong’s harbor “one of the most magnificent harbours in the world.”

“Cruising throughout Asia is not complete or entirely satisfied without stopping or calling in Hong Kong; hence Hong Kong is an extremely critical point and port in this part of the region.”

Silver Spirit called at cruise ports in Thailand and Vietnam prior to arriving in Hong Kong. She is now on her way back to Singapore on a 10-night voyage, expected to reach on January 29th, with 3 stops in Vietnam along the way (Halong Bay, Da Nang, Saigon).

Silver Spirit cruise ship

Hong Kong's Ocean Terminal is positioned on the north side of Victoria Harbour (near Kowloon Park) and a variety of tourist destinations, dining options, and shops. Visitors may take vistas of the city’s historical landmarks and cityscape as they make their way to the terminal.